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Bridgeport Year In Review: Openings And Closings Dominate 2016

By Ed Komenda | December 30, 2016 6:00am
 Antique Taco 3
Antique Taco 3
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Antique Taco

BRIDGEPORT — Take a look around the neighborhood today, and the theme is pretty clear: This past year was one full of openings and closings.

Here are five stories that shaped one of South Side’s most storied areas:

1.) Kimski Opens

Kimski, a Korean-Polish street food counter in Bridgeport. [Photo by DNAinfo/Ed Komenda.]

Kimski, the much-anticipated Korean-Polish street food counter at Maria’s Community Bar, opened for business in May. Running the kitchen is Won Kim, a 36-year-old chef, painter and host of the blog "Sleeping is for Suckers." Preparing artful, Asian-inspired street food in the same vein as Maria's popular Korean Polish BBQ series, the menu highlights culinary curiosities like spicy, snappy grilled Polish sausage topped with kimchi. Kimski has helped make Bridgeport a destination for foodies all over the city.

2.) Antique Taco Moves In

Antique Taco opened in Bridgeport in July. [Submitted Photo.]

Following four busy years at the original Antique Taco in Wicker Park, Rick Ortiz opened the restaurant's Bridgeport edition in the neighborhood where he grew up. The site at the corner of 35th and Morgan streets added to a hefty list of taco options in the neighborhood. The big difference is Antique Taco's focus on offering a modern atmosphere where customers can enjoy gourmet tacos whipped up with family recipes and ingredients sourced in the neighborhood.

3.) Soluri Deli Fire

Soluri & Sons Italian Deli. [Photo by DNAinfo/Ed Komenda.]

A Nov. 27 basement fire put Soluri & Sons Italian Deli out of business and its owner, Pete Soluri, out of a home. In 2013, after a five-year run at 31st and Wells streets, Soluri reopened Soluri & Sons Italian Deli on Halsted. Known for a menu stacked with hot and cold sandwiches, salads and a soup of the day, Soluri offered a variety of imported Italian meats, cheeses and homemade sides by the pound. The Soluri family has no idea when — or where — the deli might open again.

4.) Veteran Tamale Announces Closing

Veteran Tamales is closing in January 2017. [Photos by DNAinfo/Ed Komenda.]

After 70 years in business, Veteran Tamale announced it will close in January. Veteran owner Bob Szczytko, 79, has been struggling with clogged carotid arteries, and a number of "mini strokes" landed him at Lemont's Mother Theresa Home. On the business side, Veteran Tamale hasn't been making the money it used to. In Szczytko's absence, it's been difficult for the family to drive sales while running the shop. They decided this year it was time to close up shop, thought it's possible they will one day return.

5.) Bridgeport Boathouse Opens

The Eleanor Street Boathouse. [Photo by DNAinfo/Ed Komenda.]

It was big news when the Chicago Park District announced it would break ground on the long-awaited, Jeanne Gang-designed boathouse in August 2015. More than a year later, the $5.7 million facility finally opened, expanding recreation along the Chicago River.

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